Cardiac problems, including heart attacks, are not any longer limited to older adults. With changing lifestyles, dietary habits and increased stress levels, young adults are also susceptible. On this World Heart Day (Sept. 29), let’s understand the chance aspects related to cardiac issues in young adults and hearken to expert opinions for prevention.

Heart problems, a typical term that features a group of disorders of the guts and blood vessels, was typically related to middle-aged and older maturity. Nevertheless, studies show an increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases corresponding to rheumatic heart disease and atherosclerosis in younger adults, especially people of their 20s.

What are the chance aspects?

“In recent times, there was a concerning rise in cardiac issues amongst young adults. While the precise causes may vary amongst individuals, some aspects are common,” Narges Feizabadi, a board-certified cardiovascular nurse practitioner from California, told Medical Every day.

“Atherosclerosis, hypertension and obesity are among the risk aspects. Atherosclerosis or the buildup of plaque in arteries can occur at a younger age resulting from poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. While hypertension puts strain on the guts and arteries, excess body weight can lead to varied risk aspects, including diabetes and sleep apnea, which contribute to heart problems. High levels of stress, often related to work or lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, substance abuse, inadequate sleep and tobacco use can have a detrimental impact on heart health. Family history of heart disease and chronic conditions corresponding to diabetes or high cholesterol may also raise the chance,” she said.

In line with a National Institute Of Health (NIH) report that studied heart disease risk in young adults, levels of cholesterol decreased from 40.5% to 36.1% in young adults between 2009 and 2020. Nevertheless, the variety of young adults with diabetes increased by 1%, and the obesity rates increased by greater than 8% through the period.

Dr. Arash Bereliani, a board-certified cardiologist and medical director at California’s Beverly Hills Institute For Cardiology and Preventive Medicine noted that an overdose of prescription medications may also result in an enormous range of heart diseases amongst young adults.

“The usage of illicit drugs and heavy alcohol causes an enormous array of heart problems, including arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, and the worst being sudden cardiac death. Overdose on prescription medications and excessive energy drinks are also among the aspects that raise the chance. Watch out when taking prescription medications for anxiety, depression and ADHD. Excessive intake of energy drinks, especially when mixed with alcohol, can result in arrhythmias and severe hypertension,” he added.

Know early symptoms

Dr. Bereliani observed that certain hereditary cardiac conditions – the cardiac abnormalities individuals are born with – might sometimes go unrecognized and manifest in young maturity as heart failure. He recommends people to observe out for symptoms corresponding to palpitation (fast or racing heartbeat), shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting (passing out with none reason) and seek the advice of a cardiologist. Getting a yearly checkup also helps.

Steps to stop cardiac issues

Ensuring a well-balanced weight loss plan wealthy in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and unsaturated fats and limiting salt, sugar and processed foods is the important thing to heart health, in accordance with Feizabadi. She also recommends getting regular exercise, managing stress through meditation and yoga and limiting alcohol and tobacco use.

The approach to life changes made during young maturity not only shield individuals from heart diseases at that stage but additionally have long-term advantages for heart health as they age, Dr. Bereliani said.

“Staying healthy in young maturity is crucial for the prevention of heart attack and heart failure when someone reaches his/her 40s and older. Regular exercise, weight loss plan, avoiding smoking, stopping obesity and lifestyle in young maturity is the important thing to stopping heart attack or stroke later in life.”

Published by Medicaldaily.com